Israel Betrayed

Israelis are dehumanized in the eyes of British and American commentators.

The Daily Telegraph, which once was considered to be a quality newspaper, has carried a poisonous little story. It read:

The US has said it is ‘deeply concerned’ over Israel's plans to build hundreds of new homes in West Bank settlements. In response to an attack on a settler family over the weekend, Israel approved the construction of between 300 to 500 new homes in the West Bank.

The US Embassy called the Israeli settlements ‘illegitimate’ and an obstacle to resuming direct talks between Israel and the Palestinians. ‘They murder, we build,’ Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday during a condolence call to the grieving family.

Palestinian militants are presumed to have carried out the assault, killing both parents and their three children. ‘We're deeply concerned by continuing Israeli actions on settlements in the West Bank,’ the statement from the U.S. Embassy said. ‘As we said before, we view these settlements as illegitimate and as running counter to efforts to resume direct negotiations.’ A senior Israeli official responded to the U.S. criticism by reasserting Israel's position that the major settlement blocs, where most of the 300,000 West Bank settlers live, will remain in Israeli hands under any final peace accord. (my emphasis).

This is how the Obama administration and the Telegraph view the significance of the massacre of Udi and Ruth Fogel and their three children, Yoav, 11, Elad, 4, and Hadas, three months old, at their house in Itamar in Samaria last Friday night.

The warped and degraded priorities embodied in this short Telegraph item have been echoed since the massacre throughout the media – on the BBC and Sky, on CNN and in the New York Times, and by both the Obama administration and the British government.

If they reported or acknowledged the terrible details of this atrocity at all, these were nevertheless given short shrift. It has become a given that that the most important aspect of the events at Itamar last Friday night was not the murder of the Fogels and their three young children but the subsequent decision by the Israel government to resume building homes for Jews in the disputed territories.

The western media and political class regard the latter as the ‘obstacle to peace’, while the slaughter of a Jewish family by Arab terrorists is apparently irrelevant to the achievement of peace. This even though if the atrocity turns out to have been committed, as has been speculated, by members of the Al Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigade, the armed wing of ‘moderate’ Mahmoud Abbas’s party Fatah, that would be a game changer for a ‘peace process’ predicated on the (ludicrous) assumption that Abbas/Fatah are legitimate ‘partners for peace’.

Such considerations are, it seems, quite irrelevant to Obama, the British government and the western media. All instead blame the ‘settlers’ for producing a ‘cycle of violence’ -- even though massacres of Jews by Arabs have been taking place in the land of Israel since the 1920s. And that's because the ‘settlement’ to which the Arabs react by mass murder is, as it always has been, the presence of Jews in any part of the land they currently occupy in the Middle East, including their own country.

The west no longer possesses the capacity even to acknowledge Jewish victimization at the hands of the Arabs – the actual cause of this nine-decade long conflict.

This amoral response by the west is simply devastating. It means that it no longer possesses the capacity even to acknowledge Jewish victimization at the hands of the Arabs – the actual cause of this nine-decade long conflict. Instead, Israelis have become literally dehumanized in the eyes of these British and American commentators. The murder of Israeli children is simply airbrushed out of the western media and political picture as just too inconvenient, because it gets in the way of what they have all persuaded themselves is an axiomatic fact: that this is merely a dispute over land between two rival peoples, and it is all Israel’s fault that it still isn’t resolved.

Indeed, some of the media couldn’t even bring themselves to call this atrocity an act of terrorism. But even ‘terrorism’ doesn’t accurately convey what happened in Itamar. Terrorism is when people murder the innocent to achieve a political end. Heaven knows, that’s bad enough. But this goes much further even than that. The Arabs who broke into the Fogels’ house and went from room to room murdering the family, slitting their throats while they slept, did so because they reach a psychotic state of ecstasy from murdering Jews.

We know that because the Arabs in Gaza handed out sweets and rejoiced at the slaughter. We know it because we have seen it before many times: Arab hands being dipped exultantly in the blood of the Israeli victims they have butchered. We know it because the Palestinian Authority-controlled media, mosques and educational materials tell their children that it is the greatest glory and a religious duty to kill Jews. We know it because the Palestinian Authority names squares and streets after such genocidal murders in order to honour their deeds.

This is not merely terrorism. This is a depraved death cult -- one adopted by the direct heirs to the Arabs of inter-war Palestine who formed Hitler’s Middle East legion. And their present-day descendants use the very same Nazi motifs and tactics of psychopathic dehumanization of the Jews to incite their murder.

In other words, the Arab war against the Jews of Israel can be seen as the unfinished business of World War Two. The awful difference is that, whereas then it was ordinary Germans who looked the other way while the Jews were slaughtered, now it is ordinary Britons and other westerners who look the other way when a Jewish family is butchered – averting their gaze in order not to have to confront the terribly inconvenient fact that the genocide of the Jews, which they wish to obliterate from the collective western psyche, is still an active project.

They tell themselves that the reason people slit the throats of children as they sleep is because Jews are building houses.

So they tell themselves that the reason people slit the throats of children as they sleep is because Jews are building houses. Wickedly, these western fellow-travelers of genocide fail even to acknowledge publicly the open incitement to hatred and murder of Jews and Israelis that pours out of the Arab world and the Palestinian Authority (and that’s without even considering Hamas, whose genocidal aims are written for all to see.) Indeed, how can the west draw attention to this incitement: they help fund it.

Not only do they persist in this farcical analysis, not only do they then build upon this grotesque misrepresentation of the conflict to force Israel to compromise its security to these fanatics, but they also refuse to acknowledge the full depravity of what happened in Itamar because this shows up only too clearly the wicked falsehood of their assertion that it is Israel’s ‘settlements’ that prevent peace in the Middle East. And so, obscenely, they twist the presentation of this massacre to blame those who have been murdered for causing their own destruction.

Religious fascism as thus displayed by Arabs from Ramallah to Gaza City is bad enough. But it is the evil that now consumes Britain and the west which so completely chills the heart and prompts a terrible despair. For such moral blindness and worse means that, facing the heirs of the Nazis, the Jews once again find themselves abandoned, their victimization once again dismissed and themselves once again blamed for their own persecution. Listen to the BBC, read the British newspapers or the New York Times, read the vicious readers’ comments on so many websites (including this one) and you will see that the blind eye to deranged racism and totalitarian mass murder that paved the way for so much slaughter under Nazism and Stalinism is rampant once again, showing us once more that civilization is merely a thin veneer for barbarism.

In the face of this crisis of western civilization and its chilling implications for the Jewish people, Israel itself is worse than useless. This is because -- contrary to the brutish power ascribed to it by its enemies -- Israel is pathologically timid. And so, even when faced with the terrifying consequences for its own security from the moral inversion of the west, it has chosen to stay silent.

It does not say what it should be shouting from the rooftops, that it is being forced by Britain, America and Europe to cut its own throat and that it refuses to do so; that it stands for truth, justice and international law while Britain, America and the EU stand for their negation; that it is not Israel but these western powers that are the cause of the Middle East impasse, because from the get-go the more the Arabs massacred the Jews the more Britain and the west rewarded them and punished their Jewish victims, a pattern which continues to this day.

Israel is the signature moral issue of our time.

Israel doesn’t say any of this because it fears that unless it goes along with the farce of the ‘peace process’ it will become delegitimized by a world that will take its revenge and abandon it to its fate at the hands of the billions in the Arab and Muslim world who want it destroyed. Which all goes to show that you can take the Jew out of the ghetto, but it is far harder to take the ghetto out of the Jew. And now we can see what the result of Israel’s brilliant strategy has been – that it has indeed become delegitimised by the so-called civilized world, and that Britain, America and the EU are not just abandoning it to its fate but effectively giving it a choice – slit your own throat, or we will do it for you.

The question now has to be asked of every person in Britain and the west who promotes the boycott of Israel, or wears the keffiyeh in solidarity with the ‘Palestinians’, or so obsessively demonizes the ‘settlers’ or ‘apartheid’ Israel, or makes vicious comments at the dinner tables of the elite about the bloody Jews and shitty Israel, why these ‘enlightened’ folk turn a blind eye to the slaughter of infants as they sleep, and assist Jew-hating fanatics in their racist aim of destroying Israel and denying to the Jews alone the right to live in their own historic country – and all because Israel is reluctant to reward these fanatics by giving them the territory from where they can finally achieve their murderous aims. These ‘progressives’ need to be outed for what they are – the fellow-travellers of psychotic religious fascism.

Israel is the signature moral issue of our time. Which side people choose to be on in the Arab and Muslim war against Israel tells us whether they are on the side of truth, justice and basic humanity – or the side of evil. The sickening response to the slaughter of the Fogel family shows us all too horrifyingly which side the west is on.

About the Author

The opinions expressed in the comment section are the personal views of the commenters. Comments are moderated, so please keep it civil.

Visitor Comments: 49

(37)
Anonymous,
May 9, 2011 10:30 AM

American citizens love Israel.

It broke my heart when I heard our current administration speak these words. I felt like our government was turning its' back on Israel, our closest friend and trusted allie. Most Christian Americans I know Stand United for Israel and the Jewish people.
Israel is the ONLY G_d deeded land on the plant. Its' legitimacy has already been settled.

(36)
Priscilla,
May 6, 2011 5:08 AM

Family massacre as a Horror commited by TERRORISTS(sp)

As American citizens we do recognize that there are those in government that do not agree with our Founding Fathers or those who are in Israel. There can be no excuse for allowing this crime to go unpunished.As to settlement Israel is already restricted to less land than basic human rights should allow. The Americans of the West are your friends and do support you . Never give up that we are on the side of TRUTH JUSTICE AND HUMANITY MOST!!!!! OF US ARE MORAL GOD LOVING GOD FEARING NATION WHO WILL ALWAYS STAND BY OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS OF ISRAEL NO MATTER WHAT WE ARE HERE AND ALWAYS WATCHING ALL ACROSS AMERICA NEVER FEAR

(35)
Leon Katzen,
April 5, 2011 1:13 AM

The West doesn't know who their friends and enemies are.

The Western countries shockingly are not only doing what they did prior to WWII, but are in fact suporting the position of their enemies by mercilessly verbally attacking Israel Apparently these politicians either don't know or don't care who their friends and enemies are.

(34)
Mike Lampard,
March 27, 2011 1:18 PM

I am ashamed of my government and countrymen, and this is the reason why.

My comments in an earlier article are relevant here also about 'western culture 'normalising' such a crime. You are right that we have lost our 'moral compass' regarding Israel, and that peace is a farce. I am entirely angry with the politicians of the UK, who are thoroughly warped in their response and reasoning regarding Isrel, and regarding most other issues. This applies to politicians of all our political parties, whom I regard as the pits, mainly over their response to israel. This latest murder and their lack of response is an example of the reason why. It also has deep implications for their integrity on other issues both domestically, and on the international arena. If they get this so badly wrong, then how can we trust them over any other issues that arise? The answer is that we cannot truat them as they are all twisted and warped. israel is the 'plumbline' against which all western governments are measured against. How they fail and are found wanting!

(33)
Sandy resnick,
March 26, 2011 8:07 PM

Bone chilling

Brillint articles, if only they weren't so be chillingly factual and true. I feel sick to the pit of my stomach. Only the One Above can help us now.

(32)
Carolyn,
March 24, 2011 5:54 PM

We are American citizens and will support Israel all the way.

No one should take land away from the original owner and we believe that Abraham, was given your land by God.

martin,
March 26, 2011 9:37 AM

not so

these kinds of comments only hurt israel. the fact is that the jews have every right to a home,to be safe and to carry on as jews. this is not a right given by religion but by basic human rights.

Sam,
March 27, 2011 5:27 AM

Carolyn Is Correct

There are various vital reasons to support Israel. Still, the most fundamental is biblically based. As the Hebrew song so well says: "The Land Of Israel Without Torah Is Like A Body Without A Soul."

(31)
Andy,
March 24, 2011 12:41 PM

maybe we'll value israeli jewish life after israel withdraws as occupier is the attitude of so many

won't go so far as to say i know who is amalek today but the goal and tactics seem similar. seems to many many jews and gentiles today view israel beyond the 67 borders as an illegal occupying power and whomever is there is fair game. if israel withdraws to within the green line including sharing jerusalem , compensates some refugees and allows a limited right of return then more of the world may be favor israel when those of their enemies still try and destroy what's left of the jewish state. if israel's elected officials and left wing jews prefer this to the hard reality of needing to rule over another in a non democratic way with apartheid walls [there as a response to terror] military check points there for the same reason etc then that's the road they'll take. i don't recommend it but trying to be a humane occupation force towards a population committed to your desruction is a challenge and takes a toll. os far i think israel is doing a good a job as can be expected and i'm not for national suicide to be nice. other than "religious" redemption type stuff I don't see a way out that will work well so i hope,pray and act re mitvahs for that . we'll see.those seem to me to be the choices .

(30)
mauro,
March 24, 2011 12:33 PM

The jews have to be united, and buy a serious television channel, to show our side of the story, and to invest in massive propaganda.

(29)
Do Lern Hwei,
March 24, 2011 9:42 AM

Abuse of Freedom

This is an example where freedom of speech and freedom of the press is abused by Western countries. They do not see that these are proper steps to minimise terrorist attacks and for the interest of Israel's national security.
Hopefully, there is a quota for Muslim households in each town/settlement. If they are evenly spread out in the country, Hamas, Fateh and other extremist groups that attempt to attack Israelis will find it difficult to get the help of insiders.
There is a quota for each race in each public housing area in Singapore to ensure that there is integration. The Housing Development Board takes care of this.
Why do the US and British Government and press have to comment on Israel only?

(28)
Anonymous,
March 23, 2011 2:25 PM

These are the same types of people that went around decapitating others off during the Iraq war. They toss acid into the faces of innocent children and girls. They have done unspeakable things to their own people and fellow Muslims just to have their own way politically.
The only thing I can say is, they will be judged by G_d in the next life. I would not want to be in their shoes.

(27)
Golstein,
March 23, 2011 9:39 AM

In France the extrem right, xenophobe and raciste, is taking a big high on the poles for the elections. My opinon, it's due to what happens in Israël, and the fact that French don't want to have that in their country.

Marine Lepen (head of well known extreme right party, xenophobe and racist ) is head of the poles, toward the french presidential elections. All political parties are aback ! My opinion is, the french are well aware of what it would mean if the arabs were not set back somehow !
Without thinking to much on what happens in Israël, it is an other argument to say no ! Not by us !

(26)
Naomi,
March 22, 2011 9:42 PM

Besides giving all the land to the Arabs, is there anything else that Israel can do to please it's neighbours? What about all the senseless murders the Arabs have commited, and their blatant celebrations thereafter - just like after the Twin Towers were razed to the ground - I suppose that is justified by the English and American Press. These recent articles disgust and sicken me !!!

(25)
Anonymous,
March 22, 2011 6:30 PM

British Christians Support Israel

The attitudes that you high light are really the left wing views of the elite,not the view of large numbers of British Christians.The self styled elite in the West have decided that Islam is a victim and Judaism and Christianity are oppressors.Support of Islam suits the agenda of the left wing establishment because they see in it elements that help them move their agenda forwardsuch as destruction of traditional family,marginalisation of Christianity and because it has the same root,Judaism.The EU is very pro Islam because they want to increase their empire to include Turkey and Arabia.Benefits are seen in sucking up to moslem statesoil,cheap labour for declining European populations,trade agreements and an appeasing of Islamic jihad .The history of israel and her conflict with the Moslem world has been stood on it's head by clever propaganda by the moslems which has managed to make them appear as victims of a powerful state, ignorance of the facts and a distortion of the truth by European politicians who seek to ingratiate themselves to Islam.The Euro Arab dialogue has agreed as part of it's agenda the villifying of Israel whenever possible in relation to Palestine Arabs.Many British Christians do not agree with this behaviour and know that Israel is the victim and is trying to defend herself against an implacable enemy that is sworn to her destruction.Israel is the only democracy in the region and the only voice of reason .We know that Israel hasa made attempts to settle this question peacefully and fairlyall of which have been rejected by tHamas.It is very disturbing to the Christian friends of Israel to see anti jewish feeling legitimised and excused by calling it anti-zionism.The motives of the West are very hard to grasp because their full intentions are not made public.Israel has the support of millions of British Christians and Europeans and Americans who do not go along with the P.C version of events as pumped out by the establishment.

Maria,
March 23, 2011 7:34 PM

Totally agree

Thank goodness someone else has written this. I am getting so fed up with trying to convince people that what politicans believe is not what the general population believe.
Just one thing, it is not just British Christians who support Israel - other religions, too.

(24)
Elana,
March 22, 2011 4:42 PM

??Some comments

Some people are so religious that it is scary. We all know that Hashem is the driving force of this world; so, should we just sit and do nothing now because Hashem is in charge? Yes, He is; but He also gave us a thing called "FREE WILL"; wonder how you would have sat nice and quietly while your children are being shoved into gas chambers. Would you have sat there and said Hashem will take care of it; or would you have done anything in your power, including talking to the guards, or bribing them or whatever is necessary to try and help them?
No, you would probably be preaching; "everyone change your ways so my kids can go free" Maybe you are the ones who have to change your ways.
And furthermore, I do not agree with this article. Israel should or should not be building homes, it is a political decision. But to build homes in response to this atrocity?? This is madness. Israel needs to toughen up and respond by finding out who did this and bring these people to justice; maybe by publicly hanging them. Israel needs to stop relying on world opinion and start taking care of her citizens. If this happened in America or England; you had better be sure that they wouldn't build; they would destroy their enemies; just as America went to war when the towers were destroyed. Israel's actions should have been swift and terrifying so that these kinds of things do not happen again. So that the enemies understand that Israel is capable of handling herself, no matter what the world opinion!

(23)
Michael,
March 22, 2011 8:47 AM

These people are medieval.

No real comment can justify what these hideous terrorists do. But for the British press to try and justify/rationalise it is beyond explanation. Or is the explanation a simple one - horrid antiSemitism of the worst kind - a vicarious pleasure in Israel's horrors.

(22)
Patrick Taylor,
March 22, 2011 5:08 AM

Because they hate Jews, does not make Jews hateful

I agree with with Dr Alex Pister, Jews must look to themselves and to G-d. There is nothing in what anyone else might do that can benefit, if Jews do not do this first. No one outside of Israel is help to Israel if Israel doesn't see themselves as the people they are.

(21)
Jean,
March 22, 2011 4:10 AM

I could not agree more!

This sounds a bit strong, but I think the writer is spot on. There is no argument against what is said except THIS American supports and prays for Israel. And I do not think I am in the minority of Americans. But as long as the Israeli government gives away land which HaShem said is His, I do not expect for my prayers to be answered in the affirmative.

(20)
Larry T.,
March 21, 2011 10:17 PM

We who love Israel need to speak up.

Recently a man at my work place was railing against the Jewish people. He was doing it in a joking sort of way, which to me is still not tolerable. He said that his uncle adolph hated the Jews. I told him that was because his uncle adolph's father hated the Jews. Namely Satan.
If we speak up when people spew their ignorant hatred against any group of people, we can take a big step in putting an end to the hatred. At least we can make a difference by letting people know that the Jews are not alone in their struggle. They have friends that love them.

(19)
Polina,
March 21, 2011 9:59 PM

I completely agree with you.
Thank you.

(18)
Emmanuel Fidel,
March 21, 2011 7:27 PM

Makes me Sick

I could not finish reading this article because it made me sick... Dick because of how People, nations, are so pervated... How can you fire, rockets, and kill innocent people and still want peace?... There will never be peace for the wicked. The American and British Government should know one thing, and that is, if they really want peace to exist in that region, try should Stop pointing fingers to Israel. For me I suggest 1000 homes to be built for any single Israel soul that is lost due to any act of terroris. Israel are not fools to sit and talk about peace when their fellow country men are terrorized. These people don't want peace, their Religion is not Peace, you can see for yourself what is happening withing themselves, Suni and Shia ..... I will advice Israel nevr to take any peace talk serious with these people, prepare your nation, make it more secured for your citizens and settlers, pay more attention to your people and less to what Obama has to say.
God Bless Israel

(17)
Gary Katz,
March 21, 2011 6:49 PM

Dr. Pister is wrong, plain and simple

Dr. Pister,
Sorry, but I don't believe that a merciful G-d would decree that an infant should be stabbed in his crib, because the Jewish people as a whole are coming up short. That G-d would be much closer to the Allah that Muslims believe reward them with Paradise and several dozen disposable virgins, for committing the very act described above. Stop apologizing for evil and fight it!

(16)
David,
March 21, 2011 5:19 PM

To refute Dr Pister

Dr Pister is right that the atrocity was in fact a decree from G-d and yes we should do teshuva as in Shushan and Egypt of Old. That does not stop us sudying pages and books on understanding the evil of Pharoah and Haman... Megillah hgada Talmud Medrash etc etc etc. And yes we need to be aware that the media is guilty of all the things Ms Phillips speaks so eloquently about. We need columnists l;ike her to rederess the balance.

(15)
Tzvi Nightingale,
March 21, 2011 3:58 PM

Dr. Pister in error

I must take issue with the comment of my dear friend, Dr. Alex Pister. He somehow sees a contradiction between the perspective of Ms. Phillips and the need for Am Yisrael to do teshuva when none exists. And if Dr. Pister would indeed look closely at the Purim story he would find both elements present. Not only was teshuva crucial, but so too were the efforts of Mordechai and Esther in actively winning over the hearts of others (Achashverosh) to the plight of the Jewish people and the justice of their cause. Furthermore at the end of the story we are told of their military efforts as well to gain their security. This is a battle being fought on two fronts – internally as a nation that is being warned by the Almighty to improve our relationship and reliance on Him, and externally with the world at large to fight for justice both in military terms and in exposing injustices by the non-Jewish world as well. Ms. Phillips is a great friend of Israel and the Jewish people in a time when we have few. Her words should be applauded and not derided.

(14)
Wexy,
March 21, 2011 3:22 PM

Brilliant

Melanie, you have hit the nail on the head. Please send your article to all the newspaper editors, TV stations, and relevant Government officials. They need a wake-up call; you have not minced your words and your excellent article
might make people think.

(13)
Raquel de Almeida,
March 21, 2011 3:14 PM

strident

Melanie Phillips is a often protrayed in the British Media as a strident voice and she has annoyed many and has made many people take the side of the "other". The British because of their colonial history, I believe, have a certain disposition to side with the underdog and Melanie Philips doesn't do Israel or indeed us Jews in the Diaspora any favours with her rabid and onesided strident views. I have watched her on panels on British TV go on a sort of anti-Arab/Muslim diatribe which plays right into the hand of the Israel bashing public.

(12)
Anonymous,
March 21, 2011 2:58 PM

Do we need in-fighting ?

Alex-I wish you had shared your Torah views without disparaging and embarrassing the writer of the article.We are not supposed to embarrass(in the Torah) and we are supposed to have Ahavas Isreal.(In the Torah)Upon rereading your post,do you think you might have worded it differently? In-fighting is NOT what we need..Kol Tov Tzivia

(11)
Jeff Bracey,
March 21, 2011 2:52 PM

We are all too reasonable

Sorry Dr Pister, I'm afraid you're talking erudite piffle! No other people has suffered longer than the Jews and it's time the Arab world "looked in the mirror" and reflected on why.
Fourteen centuries of Islamic contempt will not vanish with us being ever more reasonable, instead it's time for the Arabs to "wake up and smell the coffee", or perhaps at long last, they are in fact doing so. A few more dead dictators, less corruption and then perhaps they'll join Israel's democracy in a real search for peace.

(10)
Linda,
March 21, 2011 2:16 PM

You must build anyway

It doesn't matter what the west thinks about your building plans, Israel has bent over backwards in trying to appease the palistinians because they tease Israel with a notion of peace, then whatever adjustment Israel makes they back out and say No! they won"t co-operate with it. and continue their assalts anyway. If you give a mouse a cookie, you have to give him a glass of milk too. enough is enough! Israel has to do what is best for them, and Blast everyone else. the west doesn't have to live with bombs everyday, the west doesn't have to worry every minute about being destroyed in their own homes by hateful murder crazed neighbors. Why then should they be sticking their nose in Israel's business. We don't even know how to run our own country, and we have the nerve to tell someone else? You go for it Israel, God bless your building and anything else you need to do to give your people a future. God will always be with you! And that's a promise!

(9)
leah,
March 21, 2011 11:43 AM

you are right

Sadly, you are right. But this is not the first time settlers have been dehumanized- calling a family a "settler family" or a baby a settler legitimizes their murder in the western world. The western world itself is in trouble because fascist islam is overtaking western culture. So, may Hashem help us. I hope Israel's leaders will verbally claim our sovereignty over Eretz Yisrael because it is God-given, not because of a 1948 UN resolution. It should refuse talks with murderous brokers.

(8)
muchina kanyi,
March 21, 2011 10:45 AM

shout it out for all to hear.

A very good and well wriiten article exposing the hypocrisy of the west.The israelis should not fear to speak out of what they feel and think about the so called free world.most of them dont know that killing a jew or a christian is encouraged in muslim quran book. There will come a time that the west will taste the same kind of hatred from the same Arabs they think they are better than the israelis.i would urge those editors to read quran so that they may understand the source of arab hatred for jews and christians.

(7)
Claude-Cécile,
March 21, 2011 9:43 AM

I do not read the British press or the American press but what I can tell you is that in France where I'm writing, the press is primarily against Israel. With a lack of objectivity that is very scary.

(6)
S Benjamin,
March 21, 2011 7:41 AM

Shame on the world for there silence and not doing anything it reminds me of Germany and the world in the thirties. Again we as a jewish people should shout loud to get our voices heard and we should shout enough is enough.

(5)
Anonymous,
March 21, 2011 7:14 AM

Just because it has been foretold in the Scriptures, does not mean it is 'from' the Almighty. He knows His children and He knows the decisions they will make.
Keep in mind He also told us what He would do, when people made these decisions that did not please Him.
I too, have been watching things unfold. Please keep in mind that western leaders are NOT the people. Facts are a large majority of people do not wish any evil for Israel. They still have self interest as a priority.
But what I do find curious is the gathering of elites who have abandoned self interest? This is very strange to me. Their dire end will be miserable and yet they choose to go the way of self destruction. Islam, I can understand because they are what they are.
But the western elites do know better but don't do better? They have not chosen wisely.
The L-rd will always prevail, so do not fear. The entire planet is no match for Him.

(4)
Violet,
March 21, 2011 5:36 AM

Itamar victims

It is terrible what had happen to that family, peace be upon their souls. To the two orphan children, may HaShem bless their lives and help them carry on the memory of their parents and sibblings. There are no words to describe the indiference that many have shown, but for those that noticed, lets all pray for this family and for the land of Israel to have peace. May all Jewish people return to the Torah and receive all the blessings awaiting for them.

(3)
Anonymous,
March 20, 2011 8:45 PM

Yeah...

I cannot speak on behalf of the citizens on Britain, but I can tell you that most Americans are pro-Israel and think that our President is an idiot. He is terrible with all things foreign relations which he has shown many times, not only with Israel. The majority of us support you.

Otis R. Needleman,
March 21, 2011 7:09 PM

I agree with you.

There are an awful lot of us just waiting for November 2012.

(2)
Alan S.,
March 20, 2011 7:57 PM

The American Jewish community will have to wait till the next general Presidential election to right things, if possible.

(1)
Dr. Alex Pister,
March 20, 2011 3:49 PM

Just to set the recored straight

Personally, I don’t share Ms. Phillips views, beliefs, and perspective. It is a repeated theme of authors like her. Something like the Sbarro atrocity or the Pesach bombings and now the Ithamar atrocity occurs. Next thing you hear is yet another “brilliant analysis” of all that ails the Non-Jewish world’s response. As if things are getting worse now. As if things have sunk to a new low. Why is it that authors of these articles never take that painfully hard look in the mirror and ask themselves: Where is all this coming from? Doesn’t it occur to all of us that there isn’t “chance” involved? Maybe its time to wake up and smell the coffee. We Jews need to for once and for all admit that evil decrees come from the Al-Mighty. The Al-Mighty sends them to get us to do Teshuvah. Show us one word of this truth in Ms. Phillips article. Where is her injection: “And the Torah says…..”. It isn’t there because presumably she doesn’t think it relevant. All she thinks is relevant is failings of gentile organizations like CNN, BBC and “wanna be” gentile organizations like the Israeli government. I direct the attention to the Purim story for guidance. The Jewish People looked deeply into their actions. They found their flaws and worked to correct them. Then they were granted the reprieve by the Al-Mighty. Haman the archetype and role model for today’s Terrorists was vanquished and the Jews triumphed. For those interested in real solutions take a look at the story. It’s time we in the Torah world spoke up and set the record straight about what the Al-Mighty is telling us and how to solve our problems. Otherwise all we’re left with is more worthless “brilliant analysis”.

Gerald,
March 21, 2011 8:34 AM

Secular and religeous

Both the analysis of Ms Phillips and Dr Alex Pister, coming from differing perspectives, are valid, but Pister hits the nail squarely on the head by stating the Jewish people should look into their Torah for the reasons and the remedies for their predicament. Only obedience to the Almighty as outlined in the Torah can ever bring the solutions Israel seeks and needs, it certainly will never come from reliance on any other power. Studying history will reveal prove what Dr Alex claims, but that same study will also reveal Israel seldom listened to their God. Pity, such a great people wasting it's youth in battles God has promised to fight for them, if only they would acknowledge Him and His righteous laws.

Anonymous,
March 21, 2011 12:10 PM

Very well said, but it does not negate the truth in the article.

Geoff,
March 21, 2011 12:39 PM

What about our histadlus?

We can not sit back and accept Heavenly decrees but must do what we can to overturn them (as the Jewish childrens' tefillah and outpouring of emotion achieved, according to the Midrash, in the Purim story to which you refer). For that reason we need people like Melanie Phillips to expose the Western world's misguided thinking and thinly veiled anti-semitism.

Steven Rayow,
March 21, 2011 4:46 PM

Get the record straight?

Dear Dr.Pister,
You remind me so much of the many "Self Hating" Jews who blame the victims for the violence done against them. I agree that all things, ultimately, are the results of Hashems will, however, did it ever occur to you that it is the perpetrators of these despicable acts who are the ones that need to do the ultimate act of "Teshuvah". Hashem has promised to Bless those who bless us and curse those who curse us. His rod of justice will be extended to all according to the blessings or curses relative to his "First Born"

Aviel,
March 21, 2011 5:37 PM

Both are correct

Ms. phillips and Dr. Pister are both correct. One does not negate the other. Realpolotik is what the world is about...and even HaShem was involved with the world in the past. He sent Moses with His demands...He did not speak to Pharoah directly. Jews must realize that we must depend on Him...and depend on ourselves (by Him) to do what is required. The world hates for what HaShem stands.

andy,
March 21, 2011 6:09 PM

self hating Jews like you

It is exactly self hating Jews like you, if you really are a Jew that are as much of an enemy to Israel as the arab world. Melanie Phillips is completely right.

Anonymous,
March 21, 2011 8:45 PM

agree

Agree, everything happens for a reason. and we need to Thank the Al-Mighty everything and do Teshuvah. wake up!

rina,
March 21, 2011 9:37 PM

i completely agree

this message that Dr. Alex Pister conveyed as well as many others needs to be reiterated. it needs to be the dominant, prevailing message to all Jews alike. it is completely and 100% true. gentile response is irrelevant. this has all been decreed from the Al-mighty and we have the power to change this decree through teshuva and clear proof lies in our Torah, in our history. we need to get major Torah authorites, Rabbis and just as much ourselves to send out this message during these times. B"H we will return in complete teshuva and we will only see good and no longer witness what happens one too many times.

This year during Chanukah I will be on a wilderness survival trip, and it will be very difficult to properly celebrate the holiday. I certainty won't be able to bring along a Menorah.

So if I am going to celebrate only one day of Chanukah, which is the most significant?

The Aish Rabbi Replies:

If a person can only celebrate one day of Chanukah, he should celebrate the first day.

This is similar to a case where a person is in prison, and the authorities agree to permit him to go to synagogue one day. The law is that he should go at the first opportunity, and not wait for a more important day like the High Holidays.

The reason is because one should not allow the opportunity of a mitzvah to pass. Moreover, it is quite conceivable that circumstances will later change and allow for additional observance. Therefore, we do not let the first chance pass. (Sources: Code of Jewish Law OC 90, Mishnah Berurah 28.)

As an important aside, Chanukah candles must be lit in (or at the entrance to) a home rather than out of doors. Thus, you should not light in actual "wilderness," but only after you've pitched your tent for the night.

There may be another reason why the first night is the one to focus on. Chanukah is celebrated for eight days to commemorate the one-day supply of oil that miraculously burned for eight days. But if you think about it, since there was enough oil to burn naturally for one night, nothing miraculous happened on that first night! So why shouldn't Chanukah be just seven days?!

There are many wonderful answers given to this question, highlighting the special aspect of the first day. Here are a few:

1) True, the miracle of the oil did not begin until the second day, and lasted for only seven days. But the Sages designated the first day of Chanukah in commemoration of the miraculous military victory.

2) Having returned to the Temple and found it in shambles, the Jews had no logical reason to think they would find any pure oil. The fact that the Maccabees didn't give up hope, and then actually found any pure oil at all, is in itself a miracle.

3) The Sages chose Chanukah, a festival that revolves around oil's ability to burn, as the time to teach the fundamental truth that even so-called "natural" events take place only because God wants them to.

The Talmudic Sage Rabbi Chanina Ben Dosa expressed this truth in explaining a miracle that occurred in his own home. Once, his daughter realized that she had lit the Shabbos candles with vinegar instead of oil. Rabbi Chanina calmed her, saying, "Why are you concerned! The One Who commanded oil to burn, can also command vinegar to burn!" The Talmud goes on to say that those Shabbos lights burned bright for many hours (Taanit 25a).

To drive this truth home, the Sages decreed that Chanukah be observed for eight days: The last seven to commemorate the miracle of the Menorah, and the first to remind us that even the “normal” burning of oil is only in obedience to God's wish.

In closing, I'm not sure what's stopping you from celebrating more than one day? At a minimum, you can light one candle sometime during the evening, and that fulfills the mitzvah of Chanukah - no “official Menorah” necessary. With so much joy to be had, why limit yourself to one night only?!

In 165 BCE, the Maccabees defeated the Greek army and rededicated the Holy Temple in Jerusalem. Finding only one jar of pure oil, they lit the Menorah, which miraculously burned for eight days. Also on this day -- 1,100 years earlier -- Moses and the Jewish people completed construction of the Tabernacle, the portable sanctuary that accompanied them during 40 years of wandering in the desert. The Tabernacle was not dedicated, however, for another three months; tradition says that the day of Kislev 25 was then "compensated" centuries later -- when the miracle of Chanukah occurred and the Temple was rededicated. Today, Jews around the world light a Chanukah menorah, to commemorate the miracle of the oil, and its message that continues to illuminate our lives today.

A person who utilizes suffering to arouse himself in spiritual matters will find consolation. He will recognize that even though the suffering was difficult for him, it nevertheless helped him for eternity.

When you see yourself growing spiritually through your suffering, you will even be able to feel joy because of that suffering.

They established these eight days of Chanukah to give thanks and praise to Your great Name(Siddur).

Jewish history is replete with miracles that transcend the miracle of the Menorah. Why is the latter so prominently celebrated while the others are relegated to relative obscurity?

Perhaps the reason is that most other miracles were Divinely initiated; i.e. God intervened to suspend the laws of nature in order to save His people from calamity.

The miracle of the Menorah was something different. Having defeated the Seleucid Greek invaders, the triumphant Jews entered the Sanctuary. There they found that they could light the Menorah for only one day, due to a lack of undefiled oil. Further, they had no chance of replenishing the supply for eight days. They did light the Menorah anyway, reasoning that it was best to do what was within their ability to do and to postpone worrying about the next day until such worry was appropriate. This decision elicited a Divine response and the Menorah stayed lit for that day and for seven more.

This miracle was thus initiated by the Jews themselves, and the incident was set down as a teaching for all future generations: concentrate your efforts on what you can do, and do it! Leave the rest to God.

While even our best and most sincere efforts do not necessarily bring about miracles, the teaching is nevertheless valid. Even the likelihood of failure in the future should not discourage us from any constructive action that we can take now.

Today I shall...

focus my attention on what it is that I can do now, and do it to the best of my ability.

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